Methods for vacuum assisted underfilling

ABSTRACT

Methods for applying an underfill with vacuum assistance. The method may include dispensing the underfill onto a substrate proximate to at least one exterior edge of an electronic device attached to the substrate. A space between the electronic device and the substrate is evacuated through at least one gap in the underfill. The method further includes heating the underfill to cause the underfill to flow into the space. Because a vacuum condition is supplied in the open portion of the space before flow is initiated, the incidence of underfill voiding is lowered.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/004,198, filed Jan. 11, 2011, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to methods for applying an underfillbetween an electronic device and a substrate.

It is typical for an electronic device, such as a flip chip, chip scalepackage (CSP), ball grid array (BGA) or package on package assembly(PoP) to include a pattern of solder bumps that, during mounting, areregistered with pads on a substrate, or joined using another type ofinterconnect technology such as copper pillars or other types of thermalcompression bonding interconnects. The substrate can be a printedcircuit board, electronic chip or wafer, for example. The solder isreflowed by heating and, following solidification, solder joints connectthe electronic device and the substrate. Underfill, which may be anexpoxy, may be used to fill the open space between the electronic deviceand the substrate that remains between the reflowed solder balls. Theunderfill protects the solder joints against various adverseenvironmental factors, redistributes mechanical stresses due to shock,and prevents the solder joints from moving under strain during thermalcycles.

In the process of underfilling, voids may be formed due to the followingreasons, but not limited to, uneven surface topography in the gapbetween the electronic device and substrate, fluid flow rate raceconditions as underfill flows around a solder connection, differentwetability conditions on the substrate, air in the underfill, or airinduced from the dispensing process. Because the voids are unfilled byunderfill, unsupported solder joints adjacent to voids may not beadequately protected against cold flow when exposed to strain fromthermal expansion during operation or to mechanical shock caused bydropping the assembled end product, such as a cell phone, that includesthe underfilled electronic device. Voids at solder joints prevent thesolder bump from being in held in a state of hydrostatic compression andstrain restraint, which may increase solder joint fatigue and therebyincrease the probability of solder joint cracking.

Therefore, improved methods are needed for applying an underfill thatreduces the probability of forming voids in the underfill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a method is provided for distributing an underfillinto the space between the reflowed solder balls which connect anelectronic device to a substrate. The method includes providing theunderfill onto the substrate near to at least one exterior edge of theelectronic device with at least one gap in the underfill, providing anair path to the space between the electronic device and the substrateand then evacuating that space through the gap, or gaps, to provide avacuum condition in the space. After evacuating the space, the underfillis heated above room temperature to cause capillary flow of theunderfill to the exterior edge, or edges, and into the space between theelectronic device and substrate and around the reflowed solder balls.The underfill can be provided as a material which is solid at roomtemperature and is positioned by pick and place equipment onto thesubstrate, and thereafter becomes liquid at elevated temperatures, or asa liquid material that can be dispensed onto the substrate by, forexample, a valve or dispenser.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of providingan underfill on a substrate upon which electronic device is mounted byelectrically conductive joints and is separated from the substrate by aspace. The space has an open portion that is unoccupied by theconductive joints. The method includes providing the underfill onto thesubstrate proximate to at least one exterior edge of the electronicdevice, and evacuating the space to provide a vacuum condition in theopen portion of the space between the underfill and external edges ofthe electronic device. After evacuating the space to a vacuum condition,the underfill is heated to a temperature above room temperature to causeflow of the underfill to at least one exterior edge and into the openportion of the space, thereby allowing any air trapped under theunderfill itself to vent before reaching the external edge of theelectrical device and the gap between the electrical device andsubstrate

Other embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of blockingair that has been trapped under the underfill from flowing under theelectronic device. In one such method, an obstacle is placed between theedge of the electronic device and the underfill prior to applying thevacuum. After applying the vacuum condition, the underfill is heated toa temperature above room temperature to cause flow of the underfill overthe obstacle and from at least one exterior edge into the open portionof the space. Forcing the underfill to flow over an obstacle, helpsblock the air trapped under the underfill from flowing under theelectronic device and allows the trapped air to vent prior to reachingthe gap under the electrical device

Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method ofexposing a surface of the substrate to a plasma so as to change thewettability of the substrate prior to providing the underfill onto thesubstrate proximate to at least one exterior edge of the electronicdevice. This plasma treatment reduces the opportunity for air to betrapped under the underfill. The method further includes evacuating thespace to provide a vacuum condition, in the open portion of the space.After evacuating the space to a vacuum condition, the underfill isheated to cause flow of the underfill toward at least one exterior edgeand into the open portion of the space. Since the plasma treatment ofthe substrate reduces the entrapment of air under the underfill, anamount of air trapped under the electronic device during the underfilloperation may also be reduced.

Similar to the plasma treatment method, a glass-like film may bedeposited on the substrate so as to provide a more perfectly smooth andflat surface. This flat surface has fewer depressions or imperfectionsin which air can be trapped when the underfill is positioned on top ofthe glass-like film. As entrapment of air under the underfill isreduced, an amount of air trapped under the electronic device during theunderfill operation may also be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention and, together with a general description of embodiments of theinvention given above, and the detailed description given below, serveto explain the principles of the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an electronic device mounted to a substrate byan array of solder balls and with underfill provided along a side edgeof the electronic device.

FIG. 1A is a side view similar to FIG. 1 in which the underfill hasmoved into the open space between the electronic device and substratethat is unoccupied by the solder balls.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a procedure for vacuum underfilling inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-C are diagrammatic top views illustrating a sequence for vacuumunderfilling beneath an electronic device mounted on a substrate inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A-C are diagrammatic top views similar to FIGS. 3A-C inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5A-C are diagrammatic top views similar to FIGS. 3A-C inaccordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5D, 5E and 5F are diagrammatic top views similar to FIG. 5A inwhich the underfill is provided on the substrate with, respectively, anL pattern, a U pattern, and an I pattern.

FIG. 5G is a diagrammatic top view similar to FIG. 5A in which theunderfill is provided on the substrate with no gaps.

FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic top view similar to FIG. 5A in which a dam ispositioned between at least one side edge of the electronic device andthe underfill.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the dam positioned between at least one sideedge of the electronic device and the underfill.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of the underfill flowing over the dam atdifferent time sequences.

FIG. 8A is a diagrammatic top view similar to FIG. 5A in which a channelis positioned between at least one the side edge of the electronicdevice and the underfill.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the channel positioned between the side edgeof the electronic device and the underfill.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are side views of the underfill flowing over the channelat different time sequences.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a plasma-treated substrateaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a plasma-treated substrateaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a vacuum underfilling system inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the embodiments of the invention are directed to avacuum-assisted process for underfilling an electronic device mounted ona substrate by an array of solder balls. Underfill is dispensed orotherwise provided (e.g., in either a liquid or solid form) in one ormore lines around the edges of an unheated electronic device, which ismounted to an unheated substrate by means of an array of reflowed solderballs. Preferably, at least one gap is left in the one or more lines ofunderfill and, preferably, if the space between the electronic deviceand substrate is very small, there is a space between the underfill andthe exterior edges of the electrical device. The substrate istransported into a vacuum chamber, before significant capillaryunderfilling (and air or gas entrapment) occurs, and a vacuum is appliedto evacuate the space. While the vacuum is being applied, the gap, orgaps, in the one or more lines of underfill allows air to flow out fromunder the device through the gap(s), to establish a vacuum condition(i.e., a pressure less than atmospheric pressure) under the electronicdevice between the electronic device and the substrate. An alternative,less preferred process, is to provide no gap in the underfill and torely upon the air trapped under the device to bubble through theunderfill when the device is placed under vacuum. Under either process,while the vacuum condition is being maintained, the electronic deviceand substrate are heated to cause the underfill to completely flow underthe electronic device into the spaces between the reflowed solder balls.Underfilling in the presence of the vacuum condition means any voidentrapped in the underfill will be partially evacuated of gasescommensurate with the level of the applied vacuum. The vacuum pressureapplied must not be lower than the vapor pressure of the underfill,otherwise the underfill will boil and the process will become lessstable. The vacuum chamber is then vented. Any voids present in theunderfill will now collapse because of the evacuated condition andbecome filled with underfill. The underfilled electronic device and thesubstrate are then moved out of the vacuum chamber.

The embodiments of the invention also apply to other interconnecttechnologies, in addition to solder bumps, for creating conductivejoints between the electronic device and the substrate, such as copperpillars and other thermal compression bonding interconnect technologies.

With reference to FIG. 1, an assembly 10 includes a substrate 12, suchas a printed circuit board, and an electronic device 14 that is mountedto a surface 16 of the substrate 12. In representative embodiments, theelectronic device 14 may be a flip chip, chip scale package (CSP), ballgrid array (BGA) or package on package assembly (PoP), for example.Likewise, the substrate 12 may be a printed circuit board (PCB),electronic chip or wafer, for example, or any substrate or interposerused in semiconductor packaging of electronic devices

With reference to FIGS. 1, 1A, and 3A, the electronic device 14 has afootprint on the substrate 12 such that the substrate 12 is exposedadjacent to each of the side or exterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24 of theelectronic device 14. Solder joints 26 mechanically and electricallyconnect the electronic device 14 with the substrate 12. A space 28 isdefined between the electronic device 14 and substrate 12 and a portionof the space 28 is open (i.e., unoccupied) and unfilled by the solderjoints 26 that may have a representative form of solder balls. At eachof the exterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24, a gap 27 is defined between theelectronic device 14 and the substrate 12. The gap 27 communicates withthe space 28. Preferably, for small gaps 24 (e.g., less than 200microns), a space 43 on the surface of substrate 12 exists between theunderfill 30 and corresponding device edges 18, 20, 22 and 24.

An underfill 30 is used to fill the space 28 between the electronicdevice 14 and the substrate 12, as shown in FIG. 1A. In one example, theunderfill 30 is a curable non-conductive silicon dioxide particle filledepoxy that is fluid when applied to the substrate 12 and flows bycapillary action. Other types of underfill can be used including thosethat are solid at room temperature or are frozen. Underfills aretypically filled with small particles of glass, for example to providethe desired properties in the cured underfill. When cured and hardened,the underfill forms a strongly bonded, cohesive mass.

With reference to FIG. 2, a procedure for vacuum underfilling inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention is described. In the FIG.2 embodiment, a liquid underfill is dispensed onto the substrate.Instead of dispensing the underfill 30 in a liquid form, the underfill30 could be applied in a solid form in position to buy a pick and placemachine, for example, as mentioned above. In block 52, liquid underfill30 is dispensed onto the substrate 12. The underfill 30 may be appliedas one or more continuous lines (FIG. 3A) proximate to one or moreexterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24 of the electronic device 14. Preferably,underfill 30 does not touch edges 18, 20, 22, or 24 so that surface 43is not covered by the underfill 30 until full vacuum is applied.Typically, the dispensed amount of underfill 30 is equal to the volumeof the open space 28 under the electronic device 14 plus the fillet 31(FIG. 1A) that forms along the perimeter of the device 14 after theunderfill operation has been completed. The substrate 12 is unheatedwhen the underfill 30 is applied and a gap 42 (FIG. 3A) is preferablypresent in the underfill 30 so that an air path to the open portion ofspace 28 through the gap 42 is maintained. As discussed above, the lesspreferred method is not to leave a gap 42 or open space 43, and to relyon air trapped under the electronic device 14 to bubble through theunderfill 30.

The underfill 30 may be applied to the substrate 12 using multipledifferent types of dispensers and in multiple different ways. Forexample and although the invention is not so limited, a series ofdroplets of underfill 30 may be dispensed onto the surface 16 of thesubstrate 12 from a moving jetting dispenser that is flying above thesurface 16.

In block 54, the underfill 30 is cooled when dispensed onto thesubstrate 12. In one embodiment, the substrate 12 is cooled, forexample, by one or more thermoelectric coolers to a temperature belowroom temperature and the underfill 30 cools shortly after application toapproximately the temperature of the substrate 12. Alternatively or inaddition to cooling the substrate 12, the underfill 30 may be cooled inthe dispenser before being dispensed onto the substrate 12. In oneembodiment, the underfill 30 is cooled to a temperature in the range of0° C. to 10° C. Cooling increases the viscosity of the underfill 30,which further prevents or reduces capillary flow into the open portionof the space 28 between the electronic device 14 and the substrate 12before vacuum is applied

In block 56, the unfilled portion of space 28 is evacuated to asub-atmospheric pressure through the gap 42 in the underfill 30 or space43 to establish a vacuum condition (i.e., a pressure less thanatmospheric pressure) in space 28. Or, if no gap has been provided, orif the open space 43 is not maintained, the gas will bubble through theunderfill 30. To create the vacuum, in one embodiment, the substrate 12,which carries the electronic device 14 and the underfill 30, is movedinto a vacuum chamber, sealed inside the chamber, and the vacuum chamberis evacuated to a sub-atmospheric pressure. In one embodiment, asuitable sub-atmospheric pressure for the vacuum is greater than orequal to 25 inches of Hg (about 95 Torr) to 26 inches of Hg (about 100Torr). In any event, the sub-atmospheric pressure is limited such thatthe physical properties of the underfill are not significantly ordetrimentally modified.

Any suitable technique may be used for moving the substrate 12 into andout of the vacuum chamber, and conventional vacuum systems are familiarto a person having ordinary skill in the art. The substrate 12 ispreferably transferred into the vacuum chamber before the occurrence ofcapillary underfilling (and air or gas entrapment) or before theunderfill 30 is allowed to touch any of surfaces 18, 20, 22, 24 therebymaintaining surface 43 be uncovered with underfill 30.

In block 58, after the vacuum chamber is evacuated, and while the vacuumcondition is being maintained, the underfill 30 is heated to atemperature in excess of room temperature, for example to a temperaturein a range of 30° C. to 120° C. The underfill 30 may be heated byheating the substrate 12, the electronic device 14 or both and in anydesired sequence to direct flow. In response to the heating, theunderfill 30 flows by capillary action through the narrow gap 27 fromeach of the exterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24 into the space 28 and aroundthe reflowed solder balls. Because the open portion of the space 28 isevacuated, the underfill 30 can flow across the space 28 such that anyvoid entrapped in the underfill 30 will be evacuated of gases to thevacuum level.

In block 60, after sufficient time has been provided for completecapillary flow to have occurred, then the vacuum condition is removedand atmospheric pressure is restored. For example, the vacuum chambermay be vented to provide the atmospheric pressure condition. Under theinfluence of atmospheric pressure, any voids present in the underfill 30will collapse because of their evacuated state of sub-atmosphericpressure and become filled with underfill 30 (FIG. 3C). The substrate 12is then transferred from the vacuum chamber to a curing oven and theunderfill 30 is cured.

With reference to FIGS. 4A-4C and in alternative embodiments, theunderfill 30 may be applied proximate to the exterior edges 18, 20, 22,24 of the electronic device 14 as a series of disconnected regions (FIG.4A) with multiple gaps 61. In FIG. 4B, the gaps 61 disappear as theunderfill 30 is heated after evacuating the open portion of spaces 28and 43 to a vacuum condition. In FIG. 4C, the underfill 30 flows beneaththe device 14.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-5E and in alternative embodiments, theunderfill 30 may be applied proximate to one or more of the exterioredges 18, 20, 22, 24 of the electronic device 14 in one or more passes.In this case, FIG. 5A shows a line of underfill applied along each ofthe four edges of the device, with a gap 62 and space 43 present at eachcorner between each pair of exterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24. In FIG. 5B,the underfill 30 is heated after evacuating the space 28 through thegaps 62 to a vacuum condition. In FIG. 5C, the underfill 30, in theheated state, flows beneath the device 14.

In an alternative embodiment and as shown in FIG. 5D, the underfill 30could be provided as lines using an L pass along exterior edges 18 and24 of the electronic device 14, preferably providing space 43. In thiscase, a gap is present along the exterior edges 20 and 22. In anotheralternative embodiment and as shown in FIG. 5E, the underfill 30 couldbe provided as lines using a U pass along exterior edges 18, 20, 22 ofthe electronic device 14 preferably providing space 43, but not alongexterior edge 24 of the electronic device 14. In another alternativeembodiment and as shown in FIG. 5F, the underfill 30 could be providedas a line using an I pass along exterior edge 20 of the electronicdevice 14, preferably providing space 43, but not along exterior edges18, 22, and 24. As probably the least preferred alternative embodimentand as shown in FIG. 5G, the underfill 30 could be applied as linesalong all four edges 18, 20, 22 and 24 and in an overlapping manner withno gaps defined at the corners. In this case, the air, or gas, trappedunder the electronic device 14 will bubble through the underfill 30 whenthe vacuum is applied.

The lines of underfill, in addition to being applied in the preferredmethod from a non-contact jetting valve, such as the DJ 9000 sold byNordson ASYMTEK of Carlsbad, Calif., could alternatively be applied assolid preforms of epoxy. The solid preforms are placed on the substrate12 and then melted upon the application of heat. The solid preformscould be placed into position by a pick and place machine or mechanism.

Gas or air 66 can be trapped under the underfill 30 when the underfillis provided on the substrate. Air that is trapped under the underfill 30when the underfill 30 is applied or laid along the edge of theelectronic device 14 may vent underneath the electronic device 14 afterthe vacuum is applied and the underfill 30 is heated it induce capillaryflow. The vented air may become trapped under the electronic device 14as air pockets, which may lead to the formation of voids in theunderfill 30. Ensuring space 43 is maintained until the full vacuum isapplied mitigates this trapped air from venting under the electronicdevice 14.

In accordance with alternative embodiments of the invention, thesubstrate 12 may include an obstacle positioned on the surface 16proximate to at least one exterior edge 18, 20, 22, 24 of the electronicdevice 14. In a representative embodiment, the obstacle may be formed asa linear body. The obstacle is located between the location of thedispensed underfill 30 and the adjacent exterior edge 18, 20, 22, 24 ofthe electronic device 14.

The obstacle serves as an impediment over which the underfill 30 mustflow before flowing toward the exterior edge 18, 20, 22, 24 of theelectronic device 14 and into the open portion of the space 28, duringthe procedure for vacuum underfilling shown in FIG. 2 therebymaintaining space 43. The liquid underfill 30 (or a majority thereof) isable to flow over the obstacle, and the obstacle has only a negligibleor minor effect on the flow and flow rate of the underfill liquid.However, air or gas pockets are generally incapable of surmounting theobstacle or are vented as the underfill 30 flows over space 43 beforereaching the gap 27. As such, the obstacle removes air or gas pocketsfrom the underfill. Therefore, this embodiment helps reduce or eliminatetrapped gas under the electronic device 14 during the vacuum-assistedunderfilling operation.

As the distance between the dispensed underfill 30 and the exterior edge18, 20, 22, 24 of the electronic device 14 increases, the ability oftrapped gas 66 under the underfill 30 to reach the gap 27 decreases. Ifair 66 is trapped under the underfill 30 and the underfill 30 is laidadjacent to the exterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24 of the electronic device14 (i.e., in contact with the electronic device 14), the air 66 trappedunder the underfill 30 may be vented under the electronic device 14 whenthe vacuum is applied and the underfill 30 is heated. Air that ventsunder the electronic device 14 may become trapped under the electronicdevice 14. Therefore, the underfill 30 should be positioned on thesubstrate 12 far enough away from the exterior edge 18, 20, 22, 24 ofthe electronic device 14 so as to avoid venting under the electronicdevice 14. When the underfill 30 is positioned far away from theexterior edge 18, 20, 22, 24 of the electronic device 14, the substrate12 may be tilted so as to help induce the underfill 30 to flow towardthe exterior edge 18, 20, 22, 24 and under the electronic device 14 whenthe underfill 30 is heated. The overall purpose is to prevent air 66trapped under the underfill 30 from venting under the electronic device14, with the underfill 30 then flowing around the air so as to form abubble under the electronic device 14. The use of the obstacle, as inthe present embodiment, effectively achieves the same result, as theunderfill 30 is spaced apart from the exterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24 ofthe electronic device 14 by a distance required for the placement of theobstacle.

With reference to FIGS. 6A-7B in which like reference numerals refer tolike features in FIGS. 1-5G and in accordance with an alternativeembodiment, the obstacle may be a dam 68 formed on the surface 16 of thesubstrate 12. The dam 68 may have a top wall 72 raised above the surface16 of the substrate 12 and side walls 70 ascending from the surface 16to the top wall 72. As discussed above, the surface 16 receives thedispensed underfill 30. Consequently, the dam 68 is located on the samesurface 16 that receives the dispensed underfill 30 and on which theelectronic device 14 is mounted and between underfill 30 and theexterior edges of 18, 20, 22, 24. A height of the dam 68 is sufficientlylow so that the underfill 30 may flow over the dam 68 when the assembly10 is heated to a given temperature. The height of the dam 68 is lowenough not to impede the underfill flow after heating. Although theunderfill 30 may flow over the dam 68, the air 66 is unable to surmountthe wall 70 or the air vents through the underfill as it flows overspace 32 toward external edges 18, 20, 22,24 and, therefore, the airdoes not flow under the electronic device 14.

The dam 68 may be formed of a legend ink, such as that which istypically used on PC boards for visible markings or letters.Alternatively, a damming material such as that which is typically usedfor dam and fill operations could be employed. More generally, thedamming material could be any thixotropic material, meaning any materialthat does not flow once it is deposited on the surface 16 of thesubstrate 12.

Although the side walls 70 and the top wall 72 of the dam 68 form tworight angles in the representative embodiment, the side walls 70 and/orthe top wall 72 may be inclined, contoured, and/or curved.Alternatively, the two side walls 70 may converge at an angle, such thatthe top of the dam 68 forms a peak or a crest rather than a wall that isparallel to the surface 16 of the substrate 12. Moreover, a width of thedam 68, including the dimensions of the side walls 70 or the top wall72, may vary.

With reference to FIGS. 8A-9B in which like reference numerals refer tolike features in FIGS. 6A-7B and in accordance with an alternativeembodiment, the obstacle may be a channel 74 formed in the substrate 12and recessed below the surface 16 of the substrate 12. The channel 74may be formed by a router, for example. As discussed above, the surface16 receives the dispensed underfill 30. Consequently, the channel 74 islocated on the same surface 16 that receives the dispensed underfill 30and on which the electronic device 14 is mounted. The channel 74 mayhave a base 78 positioned at a distance below a level of the surface 16and side walls 76 descending from the surface 16 to the base 78. Thechannel 74 may obstruct or impede the underfill 30 from flowing toexternal edges 18, 20, 22, 24, prior to heating the underfill. As shownin FIGS. 9A and 9B, after vacuum is applied and the underfill 30 isheated, the underfill 30 flows into and/or over the channel 74 beforeflowing toward the at least one exterior edge 18, 20, 22, 24 of theelectronic device 14 and into the open portion of the space 28. However,the air 66 trapped under the underfill 30 is trapped in the channel 64;once the air 66 flows into the channel 64, it is unable to surmount thesidewalls 76. Any remaining air vents through the underfill 30 beforethe underfill 30 reaches the gap 27. In this way, the channel 74 helpsto prevent the air 66 from flowing under the electronic device 14. Thedepth of the channel 74 should be sufficiently shallow so thatsubstantially all of the liquid underfill 30 may flow through or overthe channel 74. However, the depth of the channel 74, and thus theheights of the side walls 76, may vary.

Although the side walls 76 and the base 78 of the channel 74 form tworight angles in the representative embodiment, the walls 76 and/or base78 may be inclined, contoured, and/or curved. Alternatively, the twoside walls 76 may converge at an angle, such that the channel 74 lacks aplanar base. Moreover, a width of the channel 74, including thedimensions of the side walls 76 or the base 78, may vary.

In an alternative embodiment, the obstacle may include combined featuresof the dam 68 and the channel 74. For example, the dam 68 may beimmediately followed by the channel 74 on the substrate 12, such thatthe underfill 30 flows over the dam 68 and through the channel 74 beforeflowing toward the exterior edge 18, 20, 22, 24 of the electronic device14.

In the representative embodiment, a single obstacle is shown extendingaround an entire periphery of the electronic device 14. However, inalternative embodiments, one or more obstacles may extend along anycombination of the one or more exterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24. Moreover,the obstacles may be longer or shorter than the lengths of the one ormore exterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24. Preferably, a positioning of the oneor more obstacles will correspond to the positioning of the dispensedunderfill 30, such that all of the underfill 30 must flow over theobstacles in order to reach the exterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24 of theelectronic device 14.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 and in accordance with an alternativeembodiment, the surface 16 of the substrate 12 having an originalcomposition and wettability may be modified to mitigate the trapping ofair under the underfill 30 is originally dispensed. In this embodiment,the substrate 12 may be plasma treated so as to change the wettabilityof the surface on which the underfill 30 is dispensed. The plasmatreatment process may be activated by methods known to those of ordinaryskill.

With particular reference to FIG. 10, the substrate 12 may also beplasma treated so as to activate a surface layer 94 of the substrate 12.Such activation may alter a chemical composition, and, thus, physicalcharacteristics of the surface layer 94 of the substrate 12 so as tochange its wettability. The surface layer 94 of the substrate 12 has athickness t₁. The plasma activation does not add a layer to thesubstrate 12; rather, it modifies the layer 94 with thickness t1 of thepreexisting substrate 12.

In an embodiment, the plasma treatment decreases the wettability of thelayer 94 of the substrate 12. By rendering the surface layer 94 of thesubstrate 12 less wettable, less air may be trapped and air that istrapped under the underfill 30, when the underfill 30 is positioned onthe substrate 12, may more easily escape from beneath the underfill 30when the vacuum is applied. The surface layer 94 with decreasedwettability may have more surface imperfections through which the airmay escape than the original surface 16 of the substrate 14. In thisway, the trapping of air under the electronic device 14 during thevacuum-assisted underfill operation may be reduced by the reduction oftrapped air 66 under the underfill 30.

In another embodiment, the plasma treatment increases the wettability ofthe layer 94 of the substrate 12. Less air is entrapped under underfill30 deposited on the plasma-treated surface having an increasedwettability than on a non-plasma treated surface because air may be moreeasily displaced as the underfill 30 is applied. By reducing the initialtrapping of air under the underfill 30, the trapping of air under theelectronic device 14 during the vacuum-assisted underfill operation mayalso be reduced.

With particular reference to FIG. 11, plasma deposition may be used todeposit a very thin, glass-like layer 90 or film on the surface 16 ofthe substrate 12. The layer 90 has a thickness t2, and, thus, a heightof the plasma-treated substrate is increased (as compared to a height ofthe original substrate 12) by height t₂. The plasma-treated surface maybe so smooth and flat that there are fewer surface imperfections, suchas depressions, in which air can be trapped. As such, conductingvacuum-assisted underfilling on the plasma deposited layer 90 helpsprevent air or gas from being trapped under the underfill 30. Byreducing the initial trapping of air under the underfill 30, thetrapping of air under the electronic device 14 during thevacuum-assisted underfill operation may also be reduced. In anembodiment, a combined plasma treatment method may be employed, in whichthe glass-like layer 90 is deposited on the substrate 12 and then isactivated so as to further increase wettability.

In an embodiment, a combination of the methods provided above may beemployed to help prevent the entrapment of air bubbles under theelectronic device 14. For example, the top surface 16 of the substrate12 may be plasma treated so as to increase the wettability of the topsurface 16 and/or to deposit a glass-like layer 90 on the substrate 12.Such plasma treatment will help prevent air from being trapped under theunderfill 30 when it is provided on the substrate 12. In addition, anobstacle, such as a dam 68 or a channel 74, may be provided on theplasma-treated substrate 12 so as to block any air 66 that may have beentrapped under the underfill 30 from flowing under the electronic device14 during the vacuum-assisted underfill operation or to prevent theunderfill 30 from flowing over space 43 prior to heating the underfill30 in the vacuum

With reference to FIG. 12, a system 110 for use in vacuum underfillingis configured to dispense amounts of the underfill 30 on the substrate12 upon which the electronic device 14 is mounted by reflowed solderballs, or another interconnect technology, and is separated from thesubstrate 12 by the space 28. The space 28 has an open portion that isnot occupied by the conductive joints 26, which in this case are in theform of reflowed solder balls.

A controller 120, which is electrically coupled with a motion controller118 and a dispenser controller 116, coordinates the overall control forthe system 110. Each of the controllers 116, 118, 120 may include aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a digital signal processor (DSP),or another microprocessor-based controller with a central processingunit capable of executing software stored in a memory and carrying outthe functions described herein, as will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art.

The system 110 preferably includes a cooling device 133 and a coolingdevice 135 that is coupled with the dispenser 132. The cooling device133 is configured to cool the substrate 12 such that the underfill 30cools when dispensed onto the substrate 12. The cooling device 135 isconfigured to cool the underfill 30 such that the underfill 30 is cooledbefore dispensing onto the substrate 12. The cooling devices 133, 135are preferred, and optional, and may be respectively operated by atemperature controller 139 under the control of controller 120 to reducethe temperature of the substrate 12 to below room temperature and/or toreduce the temperature of a portion of the dispenser 132 to below roomtemperature.

The system 110 includes a dispenser 132, which may be a jettingdispenser, used to dispense the amounts of the underfill. Downstreamfrom the dispenser 132, the system 110 further includes a vacuum chamber154 configured to permit access for inserting and removing each assembly10 and configured to provide a sealed condition in which an interiorspace of the vacuum chamber 154 is isolated from the surroundingatmospheric-pressure environment. A vacuum pump 160 is coupled with theinterior space of the vacuum chamber and is configured to evacuate theinterior space as operated by the controller 120. A vent 174 is usedunder the control of the controller 120 to admit gas to the interiorspace to raise the chamber pressure. The controller 120 supplies motioninstructions to the motion controller 118 to operate a transfer device122 used to move the substrate 12, which is carrying the underfill 30,into the vacuum chamber 154.

A heater 166 is disposed inside the vacuum chamber 154 and is configuredto be powered by a temperature controller 169 linked with the controller120. Heat is transferred from the heater 166 to each substrate 12. Inone embodiment, the temperature of the substrate 12 and underfill on thesubstrate ranges from 30° C. to 120° C.

In use, the substrate 10 is moved to a location beneath the dispenser132 and underfill is dispensed or otherwise applied. In therepresentative embodiment, the controller 120 sends commands to themotion controller 118 to cause the transfer device 122 to move thedispenser 32 and the controller 120 sends commands to the dispensercontroller 116 to cause the dispenser 32 to dispense the underfill inone or more lines around the exterior edges 18, 20, 22, 24 of theelectronic device 14. The substrate 12 is not heated during thedispensing operation. Preferably, at least one gap is left in the one ormore lines of underfill 32 and preferably the underfill 30 is not incontact with the exterior edge 18, 20, 22 24. For a jetting dispenser132, the dispenser controller 16 triggers the jetting of droplets atappropriate times during the movement such that the droplets will impactat a desired location on the substrate 12. Each dispensed dropletcontains a small volume of the underfill, which is typically controlledwith high precision by the dispenser controller 16.

In one embodiment, the cooling device 133 may be used to cool thesubstrate 12 so that the underfill 30 cools to a temperature below roomtemperature upon contact with the substrate 12. Alternatively, thecooling device 135 coupled with the dispenser 132 may be used to coolthe underfill 30 before dispensing.

After the dispensing operation is completed and before significantcapillary underfilling (and air or gas entrapment) occurs, thecontroller 120 sends commands to the motion controller 118 to cause thetransfer device 122 to transport the assembly 10 and dispensed underfill30 on the substrate 12 into the vacuum chamber 54. Once the assembly 10and dispensed underfill 30 on the substrate 12 are isolated inside thevacuum chamber 54 from the ambient environment, the controller 120causes the vacuum pump 160 to evacuate the interior space inside thevacuum chamber 154. While the vacuum is being applied, each gap allows avacuum condition (i.e., a pressure less than atmospheric pressure) to beestablished under the electronic device 14 between the electronic device14 and the substrate 12 or, if there is no gap, then the gas bubblesthrough the underfill to create a vacuum condition under the electronicdevice 14.

When a suitable vacuum pressure exists inside the vacuum chamber 154 andwith the vacuum condition being maintained, the controller 120 causesthe temperature controller 169 to operate the heater 166, which heatsthe substrate 12, electronic device 14, and the underfill 30. Theelevated temperature encourages the underfill 30 to flow over thesubstrate space 43 and into the open portion of the space beneath theelectronic device 14. The underfill 30 completely flows under theelectronic device 14 and into the spaces between the reflowed solderballs. Underfilling in the presence of the vacuum condition means anyvoid entrapped in the underfill will be partially evacuated of gases.After flow ends, the controller 120 sends commands to the motioncontroller 118 to cause the vent 174 to admit gas to the vacuum chamber154 so that the pressure inside the vacuum chamber 154 is returned toatmospheric pressure. Any voids present in the underfill 30 collapsebecause of the evacuated condition and become filled with underfill 30.The substrate 12 with the underfilled electronic device 14 istransferred out of the vacuum chamber 154 to, for example, a curing oven(not shown).

While the invention has been illustrated by the description of one ormore embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been describedin considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any waylimit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additionaladvantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in theart. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited tothe specific details, representative apparatus and methods andillustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures maybe made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit ofApplicant's general inventive concept.

1. A method of providing an underfill on a substrate upon which anelectronic device is mounted by electrically conductive joints and isseparated from the substrate by a space, the space having an openportion that is unoccupied by the conductive joints, the methodcomprising: providing the underfill on the substrate at a location alongan exterior edge of the electronic device; evacuating the space toprovide a vacuum condition in the open portion of the space; afterevacuating the space to a vacuum condition, heating the underfill tocause flow of the underfill toward the exterior edge of the electronicdevice and into the open portion of the space; and while the space isevacuated, removing trapped gas under and from the underfill by flowingthe underfill across an obstacle positioned between the location on thesubstrate at which the underfill is provided and the exterior edge ofthe electronic device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obstacle isa dam raised above a surface of the substrate on which the underfill isprovided and to which the electronic device is mounted.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the obstacle is a channel recessed below a surface ofthe substrate on which the underfill is provided and to which theelectronic device is mounted.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theobstacle extends substantially a length of the exterior edge of theelectronic device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing theunderfill on the substrate further comprises: dispensing the underfillonto the substrate.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing theunderfill on the substrate further comprises: placing a solid underfillonto the substrate.
 7. A method of providing an underfill on a substratehaving a surface to which an electronic device is mounted byelectrically conductive joints and is separated from the substrate by aspace, the space having an open portion that is unoccupied by theconductive joints, the method comprising: obtaining the substrate withthe surface in a plasma-treated condition; providing the underfill onthe substrate along an exterior edge of the electronic device;evacuating the space to provide a vacuum condition in the open portionof the space; and after evacuating the space to a vacuum condition,heating the underfill to cause flow of the underfill toward the exterioredge and into the open portion of the space, wherein the plasma-treatedcondition of the surface reduces trapping of gas under the underfillprovided on the substrate.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plasmaactivates a surface of the substrate so as to change the wettabilitythereof.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the plasma activates thesurface of the substrate by altering a composition thereof.
 10. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising: after exposing the surface of thesubstrate to the plasma, mounting the electronic device by theelectrically conductive joints on the surface of the substrate.
 11. Themethod of claim 7, providing the underfill on the substrate furthercomprises: dispensing the underfill onto the substrate.
 12. The methodof claim 7, wherein providing the underfill on the substrate furthercomprises: placing a solid underfill onto the substrate.
 13. The methodof claim 7, wherein obtaining the substrate with the surface in theplasma-treated condition comprises: plasma treating the surface of thesubstrate.
 14. A method of providing an underfill on a substrate havinga surface to which an electronic device is mounted by electricallyconductive joints and is separated from the substrate by a space, thespace having an open portion that is unoccupied by the conductivejoints, the method comprising: obtaining the substrate with the surfaceat least partially covered by a glass-like film that has a top surfaceof reduced roughness relative to the surface of the substrate; providingthe underfill on the top surface of the glass-like film along anexterior edge of the electronic device; evacuating the space to providea vacuum condition in the open portion of the space; after evacuatingthe space to a vacuum condition, heating the underfill to cause flow ofthe underfill toward the exterior edge and into the open portion of thespace, wherein the glass-like film reduces trapping of gas under theunderfill.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein obtaining the substratewith the surface at least partially covered by a glass-like film furthercomprises: depositing the glass-like film on the substrate.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 further comprising: after depositing the glass-likefilm on the substrate, plasma activating a surface of the glass-likefilm.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising: after depositingthe glass-like film on the substrate, mounting the electronic device bythe electrically conductive joints on the surface of the substrate. 18.The method of claim 14 providing the underfill on the top surface of theglass-like film further comprises: dispensing the underfill onto the topsurface of the glass-like film.
 19. The method of claim 14 whereinproviding the underfill on the top surface of the glass-like filmfurther comprises: placing a solid underfill onto the top surface of theglass-like film.